The anatomy of plants

AVING given several Instances of tryal upon Vegetables; I next proceed to Minerals, which, for some orders sake, I shall distribute into five or six sorts, sc. Earths, Stones, Ores and Metals, Sulphurs, and Salts.

2. §. First for Earths. Oyl of Vitriol upon Fullers Earth, doth not stir it, or cause the least Bullition. Nor upon yellow Oker. Nor upon the Oker which falls from green Vitriol. The same Oyl of Vitriol and Spirit of Harts-Horn poured severally upon Bolus Armena of two kinds, and upon one kind of Terra sigillata, stir none of them. Hence Bolus’s are the Beds, or as it were, the Materia prima, both of opacous Stones, and Metals; into which the said Bolus’s are transmuted, by being concentred with divers kinds of Salts and Sulphurs, which successively flow in upon them.

3. §. Aqua fortis, and Oyl of Vitriol being poured severally upon another sealed Earth, which was vended by the name of Terra Lemnia; they both made a very considerable Effervescence herewith. Whence it appears, That there is no small difference in the nature, and therefore the operation of Bolus Armena and Terra Lemnia. As also, betwixt the sealed Earths themselves, one making a great Effervescence, another none at all. Whereto those that use them, are to have regard.

4. §. Next for Stones. And first, Irish Slat, with Spirit of Harts-horn, maketh a small, yet visible Bullition: and it presently ceaseth. So that it seems to be nothing else but a Vitriolick Bole. As is also argued from its taste, which is plainly acid, and somewhat rough. Whence also it is with good reason given upon any inward Bruises. Because by coagulating the Blood, it prohibits its too copious afflux into the affected part. Yet being but gently astringent, and so the Coagulations it makes, not great; they are likewise well enough carried off from the same part in the Circulation; by both which means an Inflammation may be either prevented, or the better over-ruled.

5. §. Lapis Hæmatites maketh no Effervescence at all either with Alkalies or Acids.

6. §. Powder of the green part of a Magnet with Oyl of Vitriol maketh some few bubbles, yet not visible without a Glass. But the powder of the black part of a Magnet, which is the said stone fully perfect, stirreth not with any acid. Neither doth the calcined Magnet. Hence there is some considerable difference betwixt Iron and the Magnet.

7. §. Lapis Lazuli, with Oil of Vitriol, and especially with Spirit of Nitre, maketh a conspicuous Bullition. Hence its Cathartick virtue lyeth in an Alkaly. For which reason it is also appropriate, in like manner as Steel, to the cure of Hypochondriacal Affections; originated from some kind of fermenting Acid.

8. §. Osteocolla, with Spirit of Nitre maketh yet a greater Effervescence. How it comes to be so great a knitter of broken Bones, as it is reputed, is obscure. It seemeth, that upon its solution by a Nitrous Acid in the body; it is precipitated upon the broken part, and so becomes a kind of Cement thereto.

9. §. Lapis Tuthiæ, with Spirit of Nitre, maketh an Effervescence much alike. And with Oyl of Vitriol very considerably. But Lapis Calaminaris with Oyl of Vitriol grows stark; as the powder of Alabaster doth with water. With Spirit of Nitre it maketh a little Bullition, and quickly. But with Aqua fortis, a great one; beyond any of the Stones above named. Hence both Tutty and Calamy are Ophthalmicks from their Alkaly. Which is also confirmed, from the efficacy of some Alkalies of the like use. Hence also Calamy seemeth to partake somewhat of the nature of Silver: as by tryal made upon that also, will hereafter better appear.

10. §. Chalk and Oil of Sulphur or Vitriol make as strong an Effervescence as any of the rest. Whence it is sometimes well used against a Cardialgia.

11. §. Whiting makes as great an Effervescence as Chalk. So that it seems the saline parts are not washed away with the water, wherein the Chalk, for the making of Whiting, is dissolved.

12. §. Talk will not stir in the least either with Spirit of Nitre, or Oyl of Vitriol. But the Lead-Spar maketh a considerable Effervescence with both of them severally. Hence, however this be also called English Talk, yet there is no small difference betwixt this, and true Talk.

13. §. To these Stones may be added petrified bodies. As petrified wood; which (that upon which I made tryal) no acid stirreth in the least. Petrified shells; upon four or five several sorts whereof, Oyl of Vitriol being poured, produceth a great Effervescence. The Root or rougher part of the stone called Glossopetra, with Spirit of Nitre, makes a conspicuous Bullition. Asteria, the Stone so called, and found in some places in England, with Oyl of Vitriol, maketh an Effervescence at the same degree. So doth the Belemnites, or Thunder-Stone, both the larger and the lesser kinds. So that none of these are acid, or vitriolick, but alkalizate Stones.

14. §. Coraline, with Oyl of Vitriol, makes a conspicuous Bullition, yet mild and gentle; that is, with very little, if any heat, and without any visible Fumes. And red and white Coral do the like. Hence they are all of a very gentle operation, and fit for Children, as the case requires.

15. §. Magistery of Coral (prepared the ordinary way) stirreth not in the least, either with Alkalies or Acids. Whence it is evident, That its active Principles are in its preparation destroyed and washed away: that is to say, It is an elaborate Medicine good for nothing. And thus far of Stones.

16. §. I next come to Metals and Ores. And first for Lead; upon which Spirit of Salt, Spirit of Nitre, or Aqua fortis being dropped, it stirreth not in the least with any of them: but with Oyl of Sulphur, and especially with Oyl of Vitriol it maketh a slow Bullition and froth. Hence it seemeth to be the most alkalizate Metal. Which is also confirmed by a foregoing Experiment upon the Lead-Spar, which maketh a considerable Effervescence with any sort of acid. And which likewise, being calcined, yieldeth a good quantity of Lixivial Salt.

17. §. Lead-Ore stirreth not at all with Aqua fortis or Oil of Vitriol. But Spirit of Salt makes it bubble, and Spirit of Nitre makes it boil. Hence there is a considerable difference betwixt the perfect Metal and the Ore.

18. §. Burnt Lead and red Lead, make a very small Bullition with Oyl of Vitriol, with Spirit of Nitre a far greater.

19. §. Mercury, with Oyl of Vitriol, will not stir, nor with Oyl of Sulphur. But with Spirit of Nitre presently boyls up. Hence Mercury is a subacid Metal; Spirit of Nitre being a subalkaline Acid.
20. §. The filings of Iron or Steel, with Oyl of Vitriol, make a fair Bullition, like that of Minium. But Spirit of Nitre makes them boil with much celerity. Hence Iron is likewise a subacid Metal.

21. §. Steel prepared with Sulphur maketh a far less Effervescence with the same Spirit of Nitre, than do the filings. Hence there is a great difference in their strength. So that ten grains of the filings unprepared, will go as far as fifteen grains or more of those which are prepared, as above-said. Yet in some cases the weaker and milder may be the better.

22. §. There is one Circumstance in the mixture of Steel and Aqua fortis, which is surprizing; and that is this, That strong Aqua fortis, dropped upon Steel, will not, of it self, make the least Bullition: but if hereto you only add a drop or two of Water, they presently boil up with very great vehemency. The Cause is obscure; yet it is well known, that Water it self will dissolve Iron: so that it appears, as well by this, as by some other Experiments, that even in common Water, as mild as it is, there is some kind of corrosive Principle.

23. §. Antimony with Spirit of Nitre, and Aqua fortis severally, maketh an Effervescence; somewhat lower than Iron. With Oil of Vitriol the Bullition is so small, as difficulty to be perceived with a Glass. Hence it seemeth to be of a very compounded nature; if I may so call it, a subacid-alkaline Metal.

24. §. Antimonium Diaphoreticum, with Spirit of Nitre and Oil of Vitriol severally, makes a considerable Effervescence. Wherefore it is not an useless Preparation; as from the Calcination and Ablution used therein, some have thought.

25. §. Bezoardicum Minerale, (that upon which I made tryal) stirreth not at all either with Alkalies or Acids. To which, let those who make use of it, have regard.

26. §. Tin, with Spirit of Nitre, makes so hot and vehement an Effervescence, that it turns presently, as it were, into a Coal. It makes also a fair Bullition with Oyl of Vitriol. And a gentle one with Spirit of Salt. Wherefore, it hath something of the nature both of Iron, Lead, and Copper.

27. §. The like remarkable circumstance is seen in the mixture of Aqua fortis with Tin, as with Iron. For Tin and strong Aqua fortis of themselves will not stir; but add a few drops of water to them, and they boyl up with the greatest vehemency.

28. §. Copper, with Spirit of Salt, and Oyl of Vitriol severally, stirs not at all. Spirit of Nitre, and Aqua fortis, both boil it up vehemently. Neither Spirit of Harts-horn, nor spirit of Salt Armoniac maketh any Bullition therewith. But both of them, by a gentle solution, that is, gently separating its Sulphur from its Salts, turn it blue. Hence Copper hath a greater proportion of acid than any of the forementioned Metals.

29. §. Silver, neither with Spirit of Salt, nor Oyl of Vitriol makes any Bullition. With Spirit of Nitre it makes one, but ’tis soon over: and then continues to dissolve slowly into white Coagulations. It also maketh with Spirit of Harts-horn, or of Salt Armoniac, a full and deep blue. Hence there is a greater proportion of acid in Silver, than in Lead, Mercury, Iron, Antimony, Tin, or Copper.

30. §. Litharge of Silver maketh the greatest Effervescence with Oyl of Vitriol. Yet some with Spirit of Nitre. And with Spirit of Salt Armoniac maketh some little huff or elevation. And being mixed with Spirit of Nitre and Spirit of Salt Armoniac both together, produceth a faint blue. Hence, although the far greater part of this Litharge be but Lead; yet, it seems, it hath some small mixture of Silver. But that of Gold seemeth, for contrary reasons, not to have any Gold.

31. §. Gold maketh no Effervescence with any single Salt I know of. But it is commonly dissolved with Aqua Regis, which is known to be an alkaline Liquor. Whence it seemeth, That as Lead is the most alkalizate, so Gold the most acid of Metals.

32. §. These things considered, and other observations added hereunto, may possibly give some directions, not only for the ordering and using, but even for the making, imitating and transmuting of Metals. Thus far of Metals.

33. §. I will next give one or two Instances of tryal upon Sulphurs. And first Sulphur vive, with Aqua fortis, maketh an apparent Bullition, but it is some time, before it begins. But the factitious or common Brimstone, maketh scarce any, if any at all. So that there is no small difference betwixt them.

34. §. White and yellow Arsenick make no Bullition either with Alkalies or Acids. Wherefore the strength of its operation on the Body, lies more in a Sulphur than a Salt; or in a Salt drowned in its Sulphur.

35. §. The ashes either of Pit-Coal, or Sea-Coal, make no Effervescence with Alkalies or Acids. Whence the saline Principle is altogether volatile, and sublimed away by the fire.

36. §. Lastly for Salts. And first of all, Borax maketh no Effervescence nor any Fumes with Oyl of Vitriol or Spirit of Nitre.

37. §. Oyl of Vitriol and Nitre make fumes or steams, though no Effervescence.

38. §. Green Vitriol, with Spirit of Harts-Horn, is scarcely moved. White Vitriol, with the same Spirit, maketh a conspicuous huff. And Roman Vitriol a vehement Effervescence. Whence the former is the least acid, and the latter the most of all. Which also confirms what I said before of the like natures of the several Metals to which they belong.

39. §. Salt of Vitriol, though a fixed Salt, and made by Calcination, yet maketh no Effervescence with the strongest acid; but only with Alkalies; as may be seen upon their mixture, but much better heard by holding the mixture to ones ear. Hence, there are fixed Acids. Which further confirms what I have above asserted concerning the nature of Gold, sc. That the predominant Salt thereof is a fixed Acid.

40. §. Sal Martis, with Spirit of Harts-horn, maketh a considerable huff. Hence it is much more acid than green Vitriol; and is therefore a cooler body.

41. §. Alum and Spirit of Harts-horn make a plain Effervescence.

42. §. Saccharum Saturni, with Oyl of Vitriol, stirs not at all. With Spirit of Salt, huffs a little. With Spirit of Nitre much more. Hence the acid of the Vinegar, and not the Alkaly of the Lead, is the predominant Principle.

43. §. Common Salt stirs neither with Spirit of Salt, nor with Spirit of Nitre; nor with Aqua fortis. But with Oyl of Vitriol it maketh a great Effervescence with noise and steams. Hence, even common Salt, though it be not reckoned amongst alkaline Salts, yet is far nearer in nature to that, than to an acid. Hence also the Spirit of Salt is a subalkaline Acid, and of a very different nature from Oyl of Sulphur or Vitriol.

44. §. Salt Armoniac, with Spirit of Nitre, stirreth not. But with Oyl of Vitriol it maketh a great Effervescence. Hence Spirit of Nitre is a subalkalizate Spirit.

45. §. Oyl of Vitriol and Spirit of Nitre, though both acids, yet make a great smoak; greater than that which the Spirit maketh of it self. Which confirms the last precedent Corollary.

46. §. Oyl of Vitriol and Spirit of Salt, though both acids, yet make a strong Effervescence, with noise and fumes. Which further confirms, what was noted before, sc. that Spirit of Salt is a subalkaline Acid.

47. §. Spirit of Salt Armoniac, with Oyl of Vitriol, makes an Effervescence so extraordinary quick, and as it were instantaneous, that nothing seemeth quicker. Whence it is probable, That if Gun-powder were made of Salt Armoniac, instead of Nitre, or with both mixed together; it would be far stronger, than any kind now in use. And thus far for Minerals.

48. §. I have only one Corollary to add, from the whole; which is, That whoever doth undertake the Natural History of a Country, (such as that the Learned Dr. Plot hath exceedingly well done of Oxfordshire) the foregoing Method, seemeth so easie, cheap, and indeceitful, for the finding out and well distinguishing the natures of all kinds of Metalls, Ores, Salts, Earths, Stones, or other subterraneal Bodies; as cannot, I think, be supply’d, but by others of greater difficulty and expence.